The strike action stemmed from concern about the “continuation” of performance-related pay at Leytonstone and Willowfield School, reports Marco Marcelline
Striking teachers at two Waltham Forest secondary schools have voted to suspend their industrial dispute after coming to an agreement with their schools and the council over pay concerns.
National Education Union (NEU) members at Leytonstone and Willowfield schools had participated in a total of four days of strike action and had planned five further days of walkouts.
The strike action, which is still ongoing at Lammas in Leyton due to unresolved disputes specific to the school, stemmed from concern about the “continuation” of performance-related pay (PRP).
Robin Talbot, NEU Waltham Forest assistant secretary previously told the Echo that despite Waltham Forest Council’s decision to abolish PRP following government guidance, wording in the council’s official policy is “unclear” on whether progression is automatic and annual for all pay scales.
The NEU had asked that the council explicitly state that pay progression is “automatic and annual” for all teachers regardless of seniority.
The Echo understands that the NEU agreed an amended pay policy with Waltham Forest yesterday for staff who were subject to underperformance and capability reviews.
Previously, the council’s policy was to exclude teachers from pay progression if they were subject to capability procedures for underperformance.
PRP was introduced in 2013 by the coalition government in a bid to improve performance and retain teachers in schools. It means that a teacher’s pay is linked to their performance during the year.
The Labour government scrapped the “bureaucratic requirement” of performance-related pay in school in September 2024, though local authorities were allowed to keep it if preferred.
The decision followed a review by the workload reduction task-force in 2024 that expressed concerns that PRP “works poorly in practice and does not have a commensurate positive impact on teaching and learning”.
Concerned Leytonstone School parents penned an open letter to the local authority, MPs, and the school headteacher expressing solidarity with teachers but calling for an immediate resolution to the dispute.
The letter stated: “The ongoing strike action is causing disruption and having a significant impact on the education our children receive. We are seriously concerned that if the issues remain unresolved our valued teachers and support staff, who have built strong relationships with our children will simply look for employment elsewhere, at schools with less punitive pay policies.
Arran Angus, a parent of two children at Leytonstone School said he was “relieved” the NEU had reached an agreement with Waltham Forest and the school management to end the strike.
He told the Echo: “I support the teachers’ right to strike, but it is always concerning when your children are missing out on education.
“Hopefully, the new pay policy will help ensure that the teachers are motivated and not burnt out, and it will help with staff retention. “
Kizzy Gardiner, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We are pleased that upcoming school strikes have been suspended following productive meetings between the union, the schools involved, and the local authority.”
She continued: “In line with national guidance, Waltham Forest had already abolished Performance Related Pay for teachers in the borough. There was however a disagreement around the wording for staff who were subject of capability procedures, which has now been resolved.
“We will continue to work with our schools and unions to ensure local children benefit from a high-quality education that sets them up for success.”
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